Monthly Archives: January 2017

Donate Time Not Just Money

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Message from Rachael Wolensky, Board Secretary and Social Media Manageraaeaaqaaaaaaaaldaaaajdu2zte1zjq3ltq3nzutndu1my1iy2rlltk4n2findnmztkzna

As I start to implement my New Years resolutions, I think how over the past year I have donated not just the little bit of money I have to an amazing organization like FCSSC but my time, knowledge and resources I have available at my fingertips.

Not everyone realizes the value you can provide towards your community with just a simple act as time. Yes, everyone has busy schedules running around with work, exercise and trying to have a social life, just to name a few, but it’s the idea that you can give back to your community, OUR community with just an hour or two a week.

Although I am young, before I even entered college I was taught to help those around you as much as you can. Donating my clothes, food, shoes, books, supplies, but most of all my mom taught me your time can ultimately help a community flourish. I continue to do those simple things for the Red Cross, Cancer Society and more over the years. To this day I still collect pop tabs from soda cans so that once I have enough I can share it with the Ronald McDonald House and help those kids in need – a charity that also helps kids. It’s an organization I have been helping since I became of sister of Alpha Delta Pi that also values time spent helping others.

I began working with FCSSC about two years ago as a part of my Masters Project from Quinnipiac. It became apparent to me that I wasn’t saying yes to staying on to just complete a project, but I wanted to make sure I was providing as much of  my time and knowledge as possible. In the end I knew I would help wonderful people explain their message, goals and vision to help those in need of the agency’s services.

I may not be as knowledgeable about mental health and addictions as I would like, but over the past two years I have come to see the value in what I have created with FCSSC and the amazing people within the agency. I have met some remarkable people that have not only been a part of the agency, but the board that I am actively a part of.

I hope as you reflect over the past year and determine what you wish to accomplish in 2017, that you will realize that you can help others with not just money to help FCSSC flourish in the areas we need to survive as a business to help those in need, but to donate your time, knowledge and energy to help our community succeed.

Message from FCSSC Executive Director

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“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you2016091295073727121 have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 5, 2017, Family and Community Services of Somerset County will mark the 57th year since the merger of The Community Service Society of Bound Brook and the Family Counseling Service of Somerset Hills that created, what we now call, Family and Community Services of Somerset County (FCSSC).

The ability to adapt in an ever-changing socio-economic environment is essential to the survival of any small business and it is especially critical to a small non-profit organization.  For the past 20 years, Eric Harris led our organization with professionalism, compassion, skill, and love.  With the support and sacrifices of the staff and the Board of Directors throughout the 20 years, FCSSC managed to stay afloat when many small non-profits struggled and in some cases failed.

I am thankful that not only do I have the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director as FCSSC enters its 57th year but I am also thankful that Eric and the staff of FCSSC enter this 57th year with me.  While we will no doubt encounter both old and new challenges in our journey forward, I remain hopeful that FCSSC can continue to serve our community for many years to come.

In my four short months of employment, there have already been so many notable accomplishments worth mentioning.  In September of 2016, FCSSC had a successful 5K fundraiser.  In November, we successfully launched a new group that provides essential services to perpetrators of domestic violence. In December, we welcomed a new supporter to our organization as we had a local group donate stuffed animals to the children to whom we provide services. Also in December, we had a successful visit by the State regarding our mental health services.  And finally, in October and December, we welcomed a total of two new board members to our team.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful 2017!
Warmest regards,
Richard W. Schumann